Canada-Manila FTA sealing fruition on track — envoy
The Philippine Ambassador to Canada said the looming sealing of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Ottawa and Manila is currently smooth-flowing, a deal that would benefit Filipino exporters, providing zero tariffs on some Philippine products.
“Manila and Ottawa are on track to conclude the FTA, which will make it the Philippines’ first bilateral free trade deal with a North American country,” said Jose Victor Chan Gonzaga in one of the investment missions spearheaded by the Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority (APECO) in Alberta, Canada last week.
The two nations are actively negotiating a bilateral FTA, with a target for year-end conclusion after resolving major roadblocks during the fourth round of talks in Toronto in September 2026.
From 8 to 11 September 2026, negotiators resolved major roadblocks concerning market access for sensitive agricultural products, held in Toronto.
The agreement focuses on eliminating tariff and non-tariff barriers, improving market access for Philippine exports (such as agriculture, seafood, and electronics), and boosting Canadian investments in areas like technology and financial services.
Investment missions
APECO, headed by its President and CEO, Undersecretary Gil Taway, flew to Alberta, Canada, and has successfully concluded its first investment mission held from 1 to 7 November, strengthening ties with Canadian businesses ahead of the anticipated signing of the FTA.
APECO’s investment roadshows attracted more than 120 attendees from various industries from Montreal and Calgary on 2 November, exceeding its original target of 30 participants for the entire leg.
Some 45 individuals participated in the Philippines-Indo-Pacific Investment and Tax Briefing held in Montreal. Among the participants in the Montreal leg were big names in food, defense, aerospace, energy, financing, Quebec-based business groups, and government agencies such as Bombardier, La Caisse, Investissement Quebec, Artica Foods, Tim Hortons, Export Development Canada, FinDev and Canada-ASEAN Business Council, among others.